The government of Nigeria owes its people and the world an answer. Last week in an unprecedented human rights violation the Nigerian government executed nine men — including Ken Siro-Wiwa, a recent nominee for the Nobel Peace Prize — under speedy and controversial circumstances.

The government contended that those who were executed were responsible for the deaths of four others at a political rally last year. The evidence against the executed men was hazy at best. Many claimed that they were framed by the military regime for openly opposing many of the government’s actions.

Despite numerous requests from the world community, the Nigerian government hastily executed the men last Friday.

The execution of Siro-Wiwa is even more shocking. He wrote plays, children’s books and two novels that criticized military governments. He recently received Sweden’s Right Livelihood Award and was honored in San Francisco as one of Africa’s leading environmentalists.

Siro-Wiwa had openly opposed his government’s anti-environmental practices. And last Friday, his opposition cost him and eight others their lives.

Nigeria needs to be held accountable for its blatant crimes against these activists. There is no place in today’s world for such travesties.